An example of a pulmonary agent is:

An example of a pulmonary agent is:

• A. Chlorine
• B. Mustard gas
• C. VX
• D. Sarin

Answer: (A)

Pulmonary agents are inhaled chemicals that primarily irritate and injure the respiratory tract, causing rapid coughing, throat burning, airway inflammation, and can progress to bronchospasm and pulmonary edema. Chlorine gas fits this pattern because when inhaled, it reacts with water in the airways to form acids that injure the mucosa, leading to coughing, chest tightness, and breathing difficulties. It often presents quickly with airway irritation and can be severe in higher exposures. Mustard gas, while harmful to the lungs, is a vesicant that mainly causes blistering of the skin and mucous membranes, with lung injury that tends to be delayed. VX and sarin are nerve agents that produce rapid neurotoxic effects rather than primary lung irritation. So chlorine is the best example of a pulmonary agent.

Pulmonary agents are inhaled chemicals that primarily irritate and injure the respiratory tract, causing rapid coughing, throat burning, airway inflammation, and can progress to bronchospasm and pulmonary edema. Chlorine gas fits this pattern because when inhaled, it reacts with water in the airways to form acids that injure the mucosa, leading to coughing, chest tightness, and breathing difficulties. It often presents quickly with airway irritation and can be severe in higher exposures.

Mustard gas, while harmful to the lungs, is a vesicant that mainly causes blistering of the skin and mucous membranes, with lung injury that tends to be delayed. VX and sarin are nerve agents that produce rapid neurotoxic effects rather than primary lung irritation. So chlorine is the best example of a pulmonary agent.